A Prayer for Safe Docking

[Richard]

If you can't ....

The bumper sticker on my neighbour's 3/4 ton pickup says"IF YOU CAN'T DODGE 'EM - RAM 'EM"Maybe every sailboat should have one of those sticker!

 

[Richard]

If you can't ....

The bumper sticker on my neighbour's 3/4 ton pickup says"IF YOU CAN'T DODGE 'EM - RAM 'EM"Maybe every sailboat should have one of those sticker!

 

[Ken Frehm]

Docking Manuevers

I also do a lot of single handing on my MacGregor '25 and have devised a system that is a combination of some of the things mentioned. I have a shallow mooring and have to come in with my centerboard up and my rudder 3/4 up. The wind is usually pushing me off the dock. So I have to come in sorta "hot".  After almost 20yrs of practice, the system I have been using works really well. I can dock her in almost any circumstance with or without help (onboard or onshore). I have a line with a loop tied in it. This line is attached to the very end of the dock and is held a few feet above the dock with a pipe inset into the dock stanchion and a big clip. This loop is hanging out over the edge of the dock, by the clip, where I can grab it as I come along the dock. I come alongside the dock and grab this loop and drop it over the winch or cleat on the mooring side. With the boat still in motion, I jump off the boat holding another line. This line is attached to my stern cleat and also amidships(or the bow). As the boat is brought to a standstill by the loop over the winch, I attend to the bow and secure it. If for some reason, the loop over the winch doesn't hold (pops off or I miss it.) ~ I can control the boat with a line attached fore and aft. This also has the added benefit docking with the help of a crew. The crew can hold onto the stays and safely step off the boat onto to dock and then attend to the bow. Been working for me...:}

 

[Ken Frehm]

Docking Manuevers

I also do a lot of single handing on my MacGregor '25 and have devised a system that is a combination of some of the things mentioned. I have a shallow mooring and have to come in with my centerboard up and my rudder 3/4 up. The wind is usually pushing me off the dock. So I have to come in sorta "hot".  After almost 20yrs of practice, the system I have been using works really well. I can dock her in almost any circumstance with or without help (onboard or onshore). I have a line with a loop tied in it. This line is attached to the very end of the dock and is held a few feet above the dock with a pipe inset into the dock stanchion and a big clip. This loop is hanging out over the edge of the dock, by the clip, where I can grab it as I come along the dock. I come alongside the dock and grab this loop and drop it over the winch or cleat on the mooring side. With the boat still in motion, I jump off the boat holding another line. This line is attached to my stern cleat and also amidships(or the bow). As the boat is brought to a standstill by the loop over the winch, I attend to the bow and secure it. If for some reason, the loop over the winch doesn't hold (pops off or I miss it.) ~ I can control the boat with a line attached fore and aft. This also has the added benefit docking with the help of a crew. The crew can hold onto the stays and safely step off the boat onto to dock and then attend to the bow. Been working for me...:}

 

[Serenity21306]

Perils in Reverse

To non-boaters I describe the experience of docking stern-first thusly. Imagine that you are trying to back a 32-ft. RV into a narrow parking space except that:1. It won't stay still even when it is out of gear.2. You have no steering until you are moving fast enough to do damage.3. When you first give it throttle, it moves sideways more than backward.4. And, oh yes, you have no brakes.

 

[Serenity21306]

Perils in Reverse

To non-boaters I describe the experience of docking stern-first thusly. Imagine that you are trying to back a 32-ft. RV into a narrow parking space except that:1. It won't stay still even when it is out of gear.2. You have no steering until you are moving fast enough to do damage.3. When you first give it throttle, it moves sideways more than backward.4. And, oh yes, you have no brakes.

 

[Roger1250]

first timers

My first time docking my boat shivered my timber! I had just acquired a daysailer, a low slung, big bowed 17' east coast design. My son in law and I went for a ‘sea trial’ for a couple of hours the next weekend. I had not sailed in 15 years, and my previous boat was a 12' dinghy. It was a pleasant day, with only a moderate breeze asking us only once to sit upon the rail to keep her tall. Although the motor had started and run fine when leaving the dock, it refused to fire to get us back in. The wind was behind us as we sailed in, acquiring the dock significantly faster than I had anticipated. This dock is unsheltered from the prevailing wind on the lake and most often lines up directly with that wind. I should probably have doused the jib. We didn’t do any damage to the hull nor dock, although I do think I aged a lady in a motor boat moored on the other side of the dock, as my boom swung across and over her head. My crew jumped out upon the dock at running speed checking the way of our steed, while I grabbed a line aft to do likewise. If the wind wasn’t taking the boom across, it was likely moving of its own momentum. We would need some practice! Since then, I use the prevailing wind and line myself up for a downwind drift directly to the dock, should the motor fail me in future. Of course Murphy's law notwithstanding, I never have any problems when I am prepared for them. Its those other times that tend to be embarassing.I have the perfect crew however; he willingly offers to jump in the water and haul the boat to the dock when we come close, but not close enough. Fortunately, I have always had better luck on a second come around, so he has never had to get wet on my behalf.

 

[Roger1250]

first timers

My first time docking my boat shivered my timber! I had just acquired a daysailer, a low slung, big bowed 17' east coast design. My son in law and I went for a ‘sea trial’ for a couple of hours the next weekend. I had not sailed in 15 years, and my previous boat was a 12' dinghy. It was a pleasant day, with only a moderate breeze asking us only once to sit upon the rail to keep her tall. Although the motor had started and run fine when leaving the dock, it refused to fire to get us back in. The wind was behind us as we sailed in, acquiring the dock significantly faster than I had anticipated. This dock is unsheltered from the prevailing wind on the lake and most often lines up directly with that wind. I should probably have doused the jib. We didn’t do any damage to the hull nor dock, although I do think I aged a lady in a motor boat moored on the other side of the dock, as my boom swung across and over her head. My crew jumped out upon the dock at running speed checking the way of our steed, while I grabbed a line aft to do likewise. If the wind wasn’t taking the boom across, it was likely moving of its own momentum. We would need some practice! Since then, I use the prevailing wind and line myself up for a downwind drift directly to the dock, should the motor fail me in future. Of course Murphy's law notwithstanding, I never have any problems when I am prepared for them. Its those other times that tend to be embarassing.I have the perfect crew however; he willingly offers to jump in the water and haul the boat to the dock when we come close, but not close enough. Fortunately, I have always had better luck on a second come around, so he has never had to get wet on my behalf.

 

[Julie]

This has been very helpful

This question and all the answers have been helpful to me. I am in high "Anxiety" when docking and is one of the reasons I don't sail alone. I would like to solo but the docking and un-docking just make me too nervous. The ideas I have read here give me hope that I can dock on my own. What proceedures are recomended for un-docking?I would like to know more about how to get out of a slip or off a dock single handedJulie

 

[Julie]

This has been very helpful

This question and all the answers have been helpful to me. I am in high "Anxiety" when docking and is one of the reasons I don't sail alone. I would like to solo but the docking and un-docking just make me too nervous. The ideas I have read here give me hope that I can dock on my own. What proceedures are recomended for un-docking?I would like to know more about how to get out of a slip or off a dock single handedJulie

 

[Larry3519]

Soft KISS

Pulling into a slip is always a bit of a challenge. The first few times were a little on the bumpy side. I recall this past summer while out with my youngest daughter my outboard refused to start as we were coming into the marina. I told my daughter ,"Looks like we are going to have to sail her into the slip!". Oh, well, there's a first time for everything. Fortunately, the wind gods were with us and provided enough breeze to come on starboard tack. A little help from a mate on the dock and we pulled right in. After a few "Oh, my Gods, we did it", it's miller time.My policy is ease her in softly and gracefully kiss the dock. Whew!

 

[Larry3519]

Soft KISS

Pulling into a slip is always a bit of a challenge. The first few times were a little on the bumpy side. I recall this past summer while out with my youngest daughter my outboard refused to start as we were coming into the marina. I told my daughter ,"Looks like we are going to have to sail her into the slip!". Oh, well, there's a first time for everything. Fortunately, the wind gods were with us and provided enough breeze to come on starboard tack. A little help from a mate on the dock and we pulled right in. After a few "Oh, my Gods, we did it", it's miller time.My policy is ease her in softly and gracefully kiss the dock. Whew!

 

[Rich]

Plan

The two keys to docking are 1. understanding2. planningyou need to understand the wind strength and direction, the current strength and direction and the habit's of your boat.Plan the approach, visualize it and do it. and always remember a slow mistake is better than a fast mistake.

 

[Rich]

Plan

The two keys to docking are 1. understanding2. planningyou need to understand the wind strength and direction, the current strength and direction and the habit's of your boat.Plan the approach, visualize it and do it. and always remember a slow mistake is better than a fast mistake.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Julie

Docking:Lots of good ideas above, as you mentioned. One thing not mentioned yet are spring lines. Use the forum archive and look up spring lines, or read one of the many reference books. Ken's post a few above yours mentioned something like it. A line tied to a cleat midships and then looped over a stern cleat ON THE DOCK as you're coming in, will slow and stop the boat and bring it gently to the side of the dock.Undocking: biggest problem is people doing it too slowly and then complaining about prop walk. Give it a goose and get moving so your rudder has something to use to turn the boat. Again, try the forum archives under prop walk.If you read 48 North magazine, where this poem came from in their December issue, the rest of the story by John Vigor is very good and very funny.Stu

 

[Stu Jackson]

Julie

Docking:Lots of good ideas above, as you mentioned. One thing not mentioned yet are spring lines. Use the forum archive and look up spring lines, or read one of the many reference books. Ken's post a few above yours mentioned something like it. A line tied to a cleat midships and then looped over a stern cleat as you're coming in, will slow and stop the boat and bring it gently to the side of the dock.Undocking: biggest problem is people doing it too slowly and then complaining about prop walk. Give it a goose and get moving so your rudder has something to use to turn the boat. Again, try the forum archives under prop walk.If you read 48 North magazine, where this poem came from in their December issue, the rest of the story by John Vigor is very good and very funny.Stu

 

[David]

Julie - my approach to undocking

I have a 34 ft, tiller steered boat. When I leave single handed I have a spring line from the boat to the dock fed out such the bitter end is in my hand which also has the standing part. This prevents the boat from being pushed by wind or current.When I leave I face the stern. I put the transmission in reverse, give it a good shot of throttle for a second or two, then put it back in neutral. I release the bitter end of the spring line and pull it back on board.I put the tiller hard to starboard and the boat glides back and turns to port. When the bow clears the dock finger plus about 10-15 ft I put the tiller hard to port and engage forward, I give her a good shot of power and the stern kicks out to port and pushes the bow to starboard. Throttle back and putt-putt out of the marina.Hope that helps!David

 

[David]

Julie - my approach to undocking

I have a 34 ft, tiller steered boat. When I leave single handed I have a spring line from the boat to the dock fed out such the bitter end is in my hand which also has the standing part. This prevents the boat from being pushed by wind or current.When I leave I face the stern. I put the transmission in reverse, give it a good shot of throttle for a second or two, then put it back in neutral. I release the bitter end of the spring line and pull it back on board.I put the tiller hard to starboard and the boat glides back and turns to port. When the bow clears the dock finger plus about 10-15 ft I put the tiller hard to port and engage forward, I give her a good shot of power and the stern kicks out to port and pushes the bow to starboard. Throttle back and putt-putt out of the marina.Hope that helps!David

 

[Bob R.]

Advice on "Med Mooring"

Does anyone have experience with stern-to Med-mooring to a headwall? We booked a charter in the Greek Islands for this coming summer are were told that most ports would not have slips and require docking stern-to with two stern lines and a bow anchor with boats rafted side-by-side along the headwall. No pilings and no finger docks. I can't imagine trying to back between two boats already moored with their anchor rodes out, drop and set my anchor, fend off the other boats and tie up to the approaching headwall.Any one have any experience or advice on docking the Mediterranean way?

 

[Bob R.]

Advice on "Med Mooring"

Does anyone have experience with stern-to Med-mooring to a headwall? We booked a charter in the Greek Islands for this coming summer are were told that most ports would not have slips and require docking stern-to with two stern lines and a bow anchor with boats rafted side-by-side along the headwall. No pilings and no finger docks. I can't imagine trying to back between two boats already moored with their anchor rodes out, drop and set my anchor, fend off the other boats and tie up to the approaching headwall.Any one have any experience or advice on docking the Mediterranean way?